Connect with us

News

62nd Independence Anniversary: FG declares Monday, October 3, public holiday

Published

on

…Reiterates commitment to tackling all nation’s challenges

…Calls on Nigerians to work hard

Following October 1st, falling on Saturday, the Federal Government has declared Monday October 3, 2022, as public holiday to mark the nation’s 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebration.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, the minister congratulated all Nigerians on this year’s celebration and assured of government’s commitment to tackling all the challenges facing the nation and bring smiles to the faces of all the people.

“The world is going through dire economic and security challenges which have also affected our nation. However, I am assuring us all that the government will not abandon the people, but will continue to confront all these challenges with all the might at our disposal until respite comes our way,” the Minister said.

Aregbesola reiterated the eminent position of Nigeria in the comity of nations and the greatness ahead of the country if Nigerians work hard at it as a people.

“Our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as our unbounded human capital and the richness of our land, make Nigeria unarguably the leading black nation in the world and Africa’s pride and beacon of hope. If we can rally ourselves together to harness our potentials, we shall be the greatest nation on the earth.

“A country of over 200 million people whose natural talents, grit and passion glitter like the precious diamond that we are; Nigerians are sparkling like diamonds in the pack, whether in the academia, science and technology, business, innovation, music, entertainment, fashion or culture,” Aregbesola said.

The Minister admonished Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to reflect on the challenges facing the nation and the role individuals can play in addressing them.

He urged Nigerians to work hard, shun any attraction to get rich through criminal and other immoral means, saying only through productivity can an individual and the nation create wealth and get rich.

While wishing Nigerians a memorable independence celebration, he reminded them of the fact that the nation’s founding fathers, in spite of the differences in faith, tribe and tongue, still came together for Nigeria’s independence.

“Though our nation is going through challenges, especially on security, these challenges are temporary and do not define us. We are defined by the greatness of the Nigerian people in our diversity, strength, ingenuity and resilience.

“We shall overcome all the challenges. A time is coming when we shall look at this period in retrospect and give thanks to the most high for the stormy waters we have waded through and the triumphs we have recorded over the challenges that look so huge and gargantuan today,” he stated.

He therefore, called on all Nigerians to join hands together with the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in its quest to ensure a better Nigeria for all citizens, both at home and abroad as this, he said, shall be a befitting tribute to our heroes past.

The Minister urged Nigerians to shun violence of any kind and be security conscious, asking them to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency and through the N-Alert application on Android and IOS.

“When you see something do N-Alert for prompt response from security agents,” he charged.

News

Police on trail of man over homosexual practice

Published

on

Men of the Nigerian Police Force are reportedly on a manhunt for one Mr. Okechukwu Andrew Ogbonna, of 2, Owoseni Street, Oshodi, Lagos State who has allegedly contravened the Same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2013 by allegedly publicly contracting a same-sex marriage with one Mr. Joshua his alleged partner.

A source noted that the said Mr Ogbonna is now at large, and the police have turned to his aged mother and legal wife to ensure his re-arrest and prosecution.

The suspect was arrested on the 25th day of May 2022 after the duo were seen in a compromised position publicly and he was  subsequently granted bail on the 27th of 2022.

Continue Reading

News

Divestments by foreign companies presents opportunities for strategic partnerships, capacity building of indigenous players – FG

Published

on

The Federal Government through the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri has argued that divestments by foreign companies in the oil and gas industry presents opportunities for strategic partnerships and capacity building of indigenous players.

The country has recorded International oil companies divesting i from Nigerian crude oil and gas, selling off their assets and seeking other revenue streams. Nigeria currently has five international oil companies still operating in the country: Shell Producing Development Company, Chevron, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Eni.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Amb.Gabriel Aduda at the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Forum hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenogoa, he urged stakeholders to remain calm and not be alarmed by divestments hitting the oil and gas industry.

According to him, divestments come along with opportunities and this opportunities must be given attention.

“We recognize that divestment presents various challenges but also presents opportunities for local capacity building and technology transfer.” He said.

The Minister urged the industry to embrace challenges posed by divestments to promote diversification.

He identified that the stakeholders must forge ahead with a vision where the oil and gas industry serves as a catalyst for socio economic development.

The Minister also reiterated the commitment of the Government to foster local content development.

He reiterated the commitment of the FG to promoting decarbonization, cleaner and sustainable energy practices.

The Minister revealed that the government is investing heavily in technology and fostering innovation to reducing emissions.

“To achieve this goals, collaboration amongst local players and communities is paramount to promote clearer energy initiatives and investments.” The Minister stated.

Continue Reading

News

IPPG seeks review of NOGICD act to promote competition, investments

Published

on

The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) has called for a review of some sections of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act (NOGICD) 2010 to promote competition and increase investments.

Speaking at the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Forum hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenogoa, Abdulrazaq Isa, Chairman of the IPPG and CEO of the Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited said: “Our industry is witnessing a transformational shift and this continues to underscore the repositioning of our industry.”

“As an industry, we must remain focused and rapidly exploit our vast hydrocarbon assets for the economic development of our nation. It is therefore important that we look inward to develop the socio-economic landscape of our country.”

“The NOGICD act 2010 is capable of unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria and being an enabler for rapid industrialization.”

Abdulrazaq urged the NCDMB to ensure that local content policies are evaluated and fit for purpose and not counterproductive to the industry’s growth and cost targets.

The IPPG Chairman identified the human capital development requirement of the act as a case point noting that it amounts to multiplication of levies and invariably leads to higher project costs as the companies themselves don’t benefits from the funding dedicated to developing human capital.

He also explained that the multiplicity of levies though unintended to promote local content participation is contributing to low compliance with the act and divestment of investments by foreign operators.

Abdulrazaq noted that the oil and gas industry is a global market and thus as much as the government wants to priotize local content, it must also make the industry globally competitive.

He highlighted that the government must contijue to recognize foreign oil and gas companies as important as they have a part to play in technology transfer pending when local players improve their capacity to support offshore exploration.

The IPPG Chairman also praised the NCDMB ES for raising the bar in local content development.

He noted that the Practical Nigerian Content has always provided a platform for fostering key colloborations in developing the NOGICD for local content development.

The 12th Practical Nigerian Content Feoum holding in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State is themed “Deepening Nigerian Content amidst divestments, domestification and decarbonisation.”

Continue Reading

Trending